Apparatus for removing labels from bottle washers



Dec. 22, 1964 M. BABUNovlc ETAL. 3,152,204

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING LABELS FROM BOTTLE wAsHERs Filed April 29, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS MOMIR BABUNOVIC JOHN C. GOESSMNN @MAM ATTORNEYSl Dec. 22, 1964 M. BABuNovlc r-:TAL 3,162,204

MOVING LABELS FROM BOTTLE WASHERS APPARATUS FOR RE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 29, 1963 INVENTORS ABUNOVIC MOMIR B JOHN C. GOESSMANN BY Mwmzy ATTORNEYS Dec. 22, 1964 M. BABUNovlc ETAL 3,162,204

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING LABELS RROM BOTTLE wAsHERs 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 29, 1965 INVENTORS MOMIR BABUNOVIC JOHN C. GOESSMANN BY M, 4MM/y@ ATTORNEYS Dec. 22, 1964 M. BABUNovlc ETAL 3,162,204

MOVING LABELS FROM BOTTLE wAsHERs APPARATUS FOR RE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 29, 1965 s m m www m uWNS MO US f. T MBE T Ao A BG. mm ww MJ m ..O

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United States Patent Ofiice 3,162,204 Patented Dec. 22., 1964 3,162,204 APPARATUS FOR REJMVING LABELS FROM BOTTLE WASHERS Momir Babuuovic, Kirkwood, and John C. Goessmann,

St. Louis County, Mo., assignors to Barry-Wehmiller Machinery Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Apr. 29, 1963, Ser. No. 276,372 S Claims. (Ci. 134-74) This invention relates to improvements in bottle washers, and is particularly concerned with improvements in removing labels which normally collect in bottle washers, and in apparatus for practicing the method.

The important functions of bottle Washers are to remove the dirt and accumulated foreign matter and to removel labels so that the washed and sterilized bottle may be refilled and relabeled before again moving in channels of commerce. During the Washing process the adhesvely axed labels are detached from the bottles and must be removed from the apparatus periodically in accordance with the usual practice of operating bottle Washers of the presently known types. The detached labels are for the most part caused to settle in the bottom of the usual soaker tanks or compartments, but in this process the labels first accumulate in quantity within the area traversed by the bottle carrying conveyor means, and such labels cause problems such as preventing the free discharge of labels from oncoming bottles. They usual washing apparatus is designed to handle thousands of bottles and it can be appreciated that an enormous number of labels are accumulated in a short time. This requires complete shut down of the washing apparatus in order to permit cleaning the soaker tanks of the accumulated labels so as not to reduce the etiiciency of the apparatus. It is very important to remove label accumulations so as to avoid overloading the conveyor system, or causing breakage of bottles, or development of other attendant problems. Whenever the need arises for stopping the apparatus lost production results.

In a great many bottle washers of current design shut down for cleaning usually occurs at about 40 hours of operating intervals. To obtain 40 hours of continuous operation it has been customary to design the washers with ample bottle clearance in each of the soaking tanks or compartments so that labels might accumulate Without impeding the conveyance of the bottles. The ample clearance results in making the apparatus physically larger than is absolutely necessary or it requires reducing the number of bottle carriers in the conveyor system so that adequate clearance space can be maintained.

In the present invention the improved apparatus provides a minimum bottle clearance between the bottles and the bottom of the soaker compartments, and there is incorporated a novel method for handling the removal of accumulated labels. By reducing bottle clearance in each compartment more carriers can be installed and thus greater washing capacity can be obtained from each cornpartment. By reducing bottle clearance at the bottom of the soaker compartments to a minimum, and by slightly increasing the overall height of the apparatus, it is possible to increase the bottle washing capacity of the improved apparatus by as much as 50-60 percent.

Heretofore the labels which become detached from bottles passing through the Washer have been permitted to gravitate to the bottom of the soaker compartments, but there is always a percentage of the detached labels which remainin suspension because of the agitating effect of ythe bottle carriers entering and leaving the washing solution. In the presently improved apparatus the operation may be maintained on a continuous basis since the labels are completely removed from the washing compartments during operation of the machine and the accumulation of labels is thereby practically and substantially avoided. The improved washers operate on the theory that the labels first accumulate in a predetermined area of the soaker compartments and can be continuously removed therefrom without necessitating stoppage of the apparatus.

In a preferred apparatus the bottle carriers which form part of an endless conveyor system are progressively introduced to the washing solution in each compartment and removed therefrom, and during the introduction and removal the detached labels are caused to move out of the bottle carriers in a direction toward the bottom or heel of the bottles. The label movement, therefore, is inward to a space defined between the entering and leaving portions of the endless conveyor. It is believed that the movement of the carriers and the action of the bottles moving over stationary guides urge and force the labels as they become detached to pass through the space between the guides into an open area where the labels are conlined and settle into a collecting means from which they are continuously removed to the exterior of the washer.

The presently improved apparatus, which involves the foregoing theory or 4method of operation, includes a Washing solution recirculating system associated with the label collector in the soaking compartments. This system incorporates flow directing means in each of the label collectors, which means works in conjunction with suction devices for channeling the detached labels into the recirculating system for movement to the exterior of the washer. The recirculating system also lincludes label extractor means which operates continuously to extract the detached lab-els from the washing solution and permits the solution to be returned to the Washing components for reuse. A suitable extractor device for use in the recirculating system is shown and described in U.S. Patent No. 3,080,065 issued March 5, 1963 to Arthur l. Hunt.

It is an important object of the present invention to 'overcome the problems associated with washers commonly in use at the present time so that continuous operation of washers may be achieved.

It is an object of the present invention to provide bottle Washers with means permitting continuous operation thereof by removing the detached labels as they accumulate in predetermined areas of the bottom of the washing compartments, and operating such means to extract labels before the accumulation thereof can adversely affect the Washer operation. Y

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved and unique system for continuously removing labels from the various compartments of bottle washers and to permit the programming of label removal between the various compartments of a multi-compartment bottle washer, whereby rapid increase in label accumulations in certain compartments may be kept under constant control.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus and improved label removal means, all of which will be hereinafter set forth in connection with certain preferred forms which the apparatus may take, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, where- 1n:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal elevational view, partly in section, through a bottle Washer of multi-compartment character in which the present improvements have been incorporated; n

FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the Washing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating the label removing and recirculating system in association with a plurality of bottle Vsoaking compartments;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevational view throughy a washing machine showing a modi- Vtated by oscillating ypaddles 27 driven by a common In FIG. l the bottle Washer 1 0 is frasmerltarily shown in sectional elevation and inelurles. a sul-table trarne strueture 11 iny which a :plurality of seeker. tanks or Compartments 12 are arranged in series relation so that prelimlnary tempering of bottles. may be obtained before the e hot washing vsolution is applied in the seeker tanks. The tanks are tlen'ed :by the partitions 1,3 and the bottom wall 14., `but any suitable strue'ture will suee for the purpose :of holding the Washing solution at. Ithe required depth. t The bottles B are .earriedqthreugh the several tanks A in thev apparatus en. anendless conveyor eornprising e pair of chains 1S carrying .transverse .frames `1,6 (see FIG. v) in which -fbottle receiving pocket-.s 17 .are mounted. The frames V16y may have alength suicient for from eight to as many las forty pockets 17. The conveyor chains are trained overa driving sprocket wheel 18 located above the bottle loading table 19, thegchains continue alternatelyover upperplain -wheels-20 and lower plain wheels 21, except that additional drive wheels 22 and 23 are-inserted in :the conveyor system, along with idler wheels 24 f in the returning passof kthe chains under the bottom wall 14. lThe means yfor driving the sprocket wheels 18, 2 2 and 23 has not been shown but. can be assumed to comprise -a suitable lmotor connected either by a drive chain or byacombinaton chain, shaft and gearsystems as indiycated'in Herold Patent 1,199,459 granted May7, r1940.

In such drive arrangements,ythe wheels V and 21, as well as drive -wheels 18, 22 and 23, and idlers 24, are mounted `on shafts which are supported in suitable bearings in the sidewalls ofthe frame.

As shown .inFI G S. 1 and 2, the conveyor chains carry the bottle pockets -17 intoandout of each s oaker tank 12.

The bottles are kept in position by a seriesof guide meme- `bers 2 5 which consist Ain ybars o1' slats arranged in sideby-side spaced relation to ,forma grid extending from near i Y the kbottle entrance .to the several tanks Ato near `the exit -zone. The guide membersl follow the path of the con- `veyorchains 15 .down tothe lower wheels -21so that the power source 28, the agitation having the good effect of keeping the iloaters (labels or foreign material) from accumulating on the conveyor at its entrance or exit from the soaker tanks. While the labelfrnovement through the guides'25 Kis an actual occurrence, the exact explanation is not known. It is believed, however, that the motion of the bottles along the stationary gridrcreates eddy currents at the base or heel of the bottles, and such eddy currents create the circulation of solution through the bottle pockets 17 toward the heel of the-bottle.

The eddy current circulationl principle is observable in most bottle washers equipped with fixed guidesl for the bottles. washers did no more than'let'the labels fall through the line of the conveyor and accumulate in the bottom of the tanks. When the, accumulation `became too deep and interferedvwith Vthe conveyor, the apparatus hadV to be v'stopped and cleaned out. Thus, a unique and new system has been provided in the improved washer apparatus of this invention; which isto' say, the labels and foreign material is =not-permitted to accumulate but is continuously removed from lthe soaker tanks, extracted from the washing solution and discarded, and the solution recirculated for reuse free ofthe labels and foreign material.

The system Yof this invention is y'shown in one of its for-ms in FIG. 2. For clear rdisclosure certain of the soaker tank walls have lbeen shown in phantom outline andyportions of the assembly have been broken away. It is also apparent that thefupper series of conveyor wheels 20 have been omitted, and that the usual shaft bearings for thelower conveyor`wheels '21vare omitted to avoid lobstructing details now to be described. The rst con- -veyor wheels 21jand the shaft 21a therefore are arranged adjacent the bottom wall 14 of the 4soaker tank 12 and between the front wall y13a `and-the rst partition 13. The grid of guide Vmembers 25; are disposed between'the con- `Veyor wheels21, and the rst trough or collector means 26 isfsupported'in the bottom ofthe grid to .extend transversely of the' tank, :such that its opposite open ends are spaced from the sidewalls sufficiently to allow operating -roornforthe conveyor vwheels 21. Each of the succeeding soaker tanks is similarly equipped with guide members 25 and collector means 26 disposed between the respective partition A1-3. 'In `FIG. 2 three adjacent soaker tanks are "fshown, `butthe number of tanks Vmay bervaried.

bottom 0r heels ofthe bottles arealways presented to the e guide -mernbers and the open endsrare pointed outwardly for ,easy ingress andtlrainage `'ofvyashirrg solution! The apparatus of FIG. 1 is equipped, as shown in FIG. 2, with a system "of continuously:y removing :labels kand .other trash -which-would ordinarilycollect 'in the lowerV areas offeach soakertank .The-system includes a troughshaped collector means 26 open atrits endsand disposed `so as to form a Curyedbottoru-forthe'members Y25,- The extend through the collector means 2 6, butare free of y ItisV assumed'that the soaker tanks contain the washing solution, which isa caustic `fluid retained in the tanksA up `to aflevel ljust below the elevation ofthe shafts 20a for the upper series of conveyorfwheels `20. Exterior to the Y frame of vthe 'washing'apparatus there is arranged a washv Vmeansz' extends vbetween `the lower wheels-21 forfthe t -eonveyor chains '15, and, `theshalts 2id for the Wheels 2 1 the bottom surface' so Vthat washing solution i.s. leasily Loir- V4 ulated flengthwisef `ofthetrough, as willbe described presently.

by e suitable-lebelslue) .pass finto the first soulier y ,tank of the series it is thermally tempered "and the labels yare .sof-tened.- Some'labels 'mayfbe detached at this'timgbut Amoreel' thelebels Willfl;eeome detached .n-the subsequent soaker tanks Ywhere thewashing solution is'uat higher ternvperatu'res. t The diflicult'labels will eventuallyrbecomedet cached Abefore the Ybottles-move to ,thenext operatingistay tion following the sokers. f Duringrthe movementfof the bottles V'through Ythe* various Ttanks @the labels ,will Ywork throughforglbeurged outwardly through the'bot'tom of the po'cketsandthusj willemerge intothe space defined'by the U-shapedguide members `215 anwcldtroughH 2 6 "in each' "tank. 'Thexwashingjsolution -inzeaehsoakerltank is agi- AS thebottles B lwith thelabelsfadheredthereto (usually king ysolution feedv main `30 y,which extends Vlthereal'ong from a circulatingfpump 31 driven bymotor32. The feed main 30 connectsjto each of a plurality of'lateral pipes 33 in whichacontroljvalve 34'is disposed.v `,From each'valve 3 4,

fpipes lf35'extendfthrou gh thetank'side wallsand across 'the width of the respective ,tanks'tojthe opposite exterior sidewhere a vlateral line extends `to a nozzle'r37. The ynozzlesz f (one beingjshown in FIG. 2) are aligned through 'thesidewalls with the 'open lends of the collector means l26, b ut do rnotjinterfere with the conveyor'wheels '2 1, Nozzles 37 'are' off-center of the v collector'means 26 so that a:circulation-` of washing', solution and accumulated .'labelsis created. Afhe pipes 5'are also connected to a second'lateralline eS-otsideithe tank side walls, and each line 3 8 leads to a nozzle 3 /9 which extends through the side wll'jand iis-'aligned withthercollector 'means'26 so as `nottoh-interfere'with the `conveyor wheels Nozzle 39 isfoffsetrelativertothe'nozzles'37 at the opposite ends of the collectormeans 26 to enhancethe circulating elfect of lthe Vfluidand labels.; In each case the nozzles37 and-39 dir ectjets of Vcaustic solution -through the spokes ofthe 1 conveyor wheels '-Since the speed of'rotation'is ,rather [slow the spokes do notfsignicantly intercept the jet of solution. -v *e However, it is now known that these bottleY The pipes 35 which extend across each soaker tank feed a pair of tank jets; one jet nozzle being shown at 40, and the other nozzle being shown at 41 at the terminus of a feed line 42. Thus the bottom area of each tank is given a solution circulating effect to maintain the labels and other matter falling into such area in a state of motion.

The apparatus is provided at the exterior with a return main 43 to which are connected return lateral lines 44. Each lateral line 44 is provided with a lower inlet branch 45 which extends through the tank side wall adjacent the bottom area, and an upper inlet branch 46 terminating in an inlet connection 47 mounted on the side wall of each tank at a position such that the inlet mouth 48 of each is aligned with a collector means 26. Each mouth 48 is located to be intercepted by the conveyor wheel spokes, but the flow interrupting effect of the spokes is not signicant. Each branch line 44 contains a control valve 49 so that selective manipulation of the valves 49 and valves 34 will permit the system to be cut off the soaker tanks as desired, whereby a programmed system of removing labels from one or several tanks may be instituted, or the tanks 12 may alternately be cleansed of labels and foreign material.

The return line 43 and the feed main 30 are connected into an extractor device 50 which is more particularly disclosed and claimed in the said Hunt Patent 3,080,065, issued March 5, 1963. Sufiice it to say here that the line 43 connects at the inlet 51 of the device 50 and that such inlet is arranged to accommodate the drive shaft of a motor 52 which drives a lift screw type conveyor means (not shown) Within the casing 53. At an appropriate elevation above the inlet 51 the casing 53 has a clean solution discharge connection 54 which feeds pump 31. The elevated end of the casing 53 has an outlet neck 55 and an outlet head 56. In accordance with the disclosure in Hunt Patent 3,080,065 the return line 43 conveys washing solution burdened with labels and other matter to the device 50 where the conveying means driven by motor 52 lifts the solids (labels and other matter) upwardly in a perforated screen (not shown) therein for discharge at the head 56 in a relatively dry condition. During the lifting stage the washing solution is drained through the screen perforations to an annular space in casing 53 where it is withdrawn by pump 31 at the connection 54 and forceably fed into line 30.

In the system herein disclosed, the pump 31 creates an hydraulic head differential between the level of solution in casing 53 and in the soaker tanks 12 such that a suction flow effect is created at the branch inlet 45 in each tank, and also at the inlet connection 47. Concurrently, the pump 31 induces a forced flow of washing solution free of solids in the feed main 30 such that the respective nozzles 40 and 41 in the bottom of each tank and the nozzles 37 and 39 in the collection means 26 are caused to circulate the solution and solids toward the outlets 47 and 45 respectively. The full effect of the pump 31 may be applied to each soaker tank in turn by closing the valves 34 and 49 to those tanks not desired. Thus, by

selection the present system may be operated for longer periods in the soaker tank which seems to most rapidly accumulate labels, and shorter periods in others of the soaker tanks. The system may also be adapted to an automatic control operation to follow a predetermined schedule of open and closed conditions so that the soaker tanks are periodically evacuated of label accumulations.

Another form of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, and reference will now be directed thereto. The apparatus 57 is similar to the apparatus 10 in FIG. l in thatv there is a suitable frame structure 58 in Which a plurality of soaker tanks or compartments 59 are 1 arranged in series relation by means of partition walls 60.

The last tank of the series shown is a so called belly tank 59a which is used for a purpose not material to the `present invention. The tanks have a common bottom wall 61 and opposite side walls 62. The bottles B are transported through the several tanks 59 on an endless conveyor comprised of a pair of chains 63 carrying transverse frames 16 in which bottle receiving pockets 17 are mounted. The conveyor chains 63 are trained over a driving sprocket 66 located above the bottle loading table 19 (as in FIG. 1) and then alternately over upper drive Wheels 67 and lower stationary guide means 68 near the bottom wall 61. The complete line for the conveyor chains 63 is similar to that for chains 15 shown in FIG. 1 and has, therefore, been omitted in FIG. 3.

It is understood that in the apparatus of FIG. 3, the conveyor chains 63 and bottle frames 16 cooperate with guide members 25 which consist of bars or slats arranged in spaced relation to form a grid extending from near the bottle entrance to each tank to a position near the exit zone. The members 25 follow the line of the conveyor chains 63 so that the bottom or heels of the bottles are always presented thereto to retain the bottles within the pockets 17. In the case of the belly tank 59a, the guide members 25a are connected at the bottom to collector means 71a, and the collector means 71a are interconnected by a set of guide members 25b similar to the bars in members 25a.

In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, it can be seen that the conveyor chains 63 are directed downwardly over xed guides 68. Each guide 68 has the form of a part of a circle, which takes the place of the wheels 21 in FIG. l and a brace portion 69 for bracing the arcuate portion. The respective portions of the guides dene an opening which is unobstructedly open to the adjacent ends of trough shaped collector means 71. The roller elements 63a of the conveyor chains 63 follow around the curved angle portion and are guided by an outer fiange 70. The structure shown in FIG. 4 for one of the soaker tanks is, of course, duplicated in each soaker tank so that it is believed unnecessary to show the other soaker tanks in detail. The fixed guides 68 shown in the apparatus of FIG. 3 take the place of the wheels 21 and shafts 21a, together with the necessary bearings, of the apparatus of FIG. 1. As a consequence the ends of each collector means 71 are not obstructed by the spokes of the wheels so that there is no obstruction to flow of caustic solution. The collector means 71 are supported from the fixed guides 68 so that a simple and inexpensive structure is obtained.

Referring to FIG. 4, and to FIGS. 5 and 6 also, it can be seen that a caustic circulating feed main 72 is arranged exterior to the soaker tanks and has its remote end connected to the discharge of a pump 73 driven by motor 74. The main 72 feeds a plurality of lateral pipes 75 (two being shown) in which control valves 76 are disposed. From each valve 75 pipe 77 extends through the tank wall 62 and across the width thereof to project outwardly at the opposite side 62 where a lateral line 7 8 extends to a nozzle 79 projecting back into the tank through the space in the adjacent fixed guide 68 so as to direct a jet of caustic solution lengthwise of the collector means 71.

The pipe 77 in each tank feeds a first nozzle 80 located adjacent the bottom 61 of the tank and near one side, as well as a remote nozzle 81 on the end of a lateral pipe connection 82. The nozzles and 81 are offset so that the caustic solution in the bottom area of the tank is caused to circulate in a direction toward an outlet to be described later. The pipe 77 that is exterior to the tank feeds a lateral line 83 which connects with a nozzle 84 projecting into the tank in alignment with the space inside the adjacent fixed guide 68. Nozzles 84 and 79 are located above the bottom of the collector means 71 (FIG. 5) and are laterally offset (FIG. 6) to cause circulation within the collector means toward an outlet.

The apparatus is provided with an exterior solution return main 85 to which are connected lateral lines 86 extending into the soaker tanks near the bottom wall 61. Also each lateral 86 is joined by a vertical line 87 which connects to an outlet means 88 one end of which opens through the tank side wall 62 to align with the collector collector-means V71 for 'flow along the main 8S.y Each lateral line'86 contains a control valve 89 for a purpose to appear.

The returnmain 85 and thefeed main are connected 'Y into an extractor device 50 Whichis more particularly disclosed and claimed inthe said Hunt Patent' 3,080,065

issued March 5, 19'63. It will beunde'rstood that the main 85 connects atl the inlet "51 for thedevice 5t) and that such inlet is arranged-to accommodate the drive shaft ofga motor 52 which drives a liftsc'rew type conveyor means Within the casing 53. At ,an appropriate elevation above inlet 51 the casing 53 hasy a 'solution' discharge connection 54 which feeds the pump 73 driven by motor 74, and the pump discharges the solution into feed main 72. The de# vice 50 operates in the manner Patent 3,080,065. Since valves '776 V and S9 are associated withthe lines 75 and 86 for each soaker tank 59 and 59a it is possible to, in'turn, shift the action vof device VSil to each Vsoaker tank 59 and belly tank 59a in a predetermined rnanner, as previously described for the apparatus of FIGS. i and 2. 1 Y

'In the several forms of the apparatus herein described it is pointed out that the collector means 2 6 or 71 are connected to the guide means nents act as a bottle guide Yas Well as a label collector.` The assembledparts are suitably connected (not shown) to the tank side walls yby clips or other suitable means.

described in the'said Hunt having flow directing devices insaid collectori'neans to inove labels in such ow.

2. ln apparatus for washing bottles bearinglabcls attached thereto but Vremovable by contact with Washing solution: theV combination of a washing tank having bottom and side walls adapted to contain'a body of washing solution; conveyor means for bottles including a lowering portion for immersing the bottles in the Washing Vsolutio'n'and a lifting portion to remove the bottles, guides adapted to hold bottles inwsaid conveyor means while being transported by said lowering andlifting p ortions; label collector means disposed above the bottom of said tank and between said conveyor lowering and liftf ing portions. so as to lbe lin the path of label movement upon detachment from the bottles and prevent substantial accumulations on saidbottom; and means to remove labelsl from said collector-means including a forced Washing solution recirculating system'having an inlet open to said collector meansto receive label bearing solution and'flow directing devices in saidcollector means to move labels into said opening.

3. In apparatus for Washing bottles bearing adhesive labels removable Vby contact with washing solution, a

' washing tank, a conveyor having portions entering and 25 so thatV these compoleaving said tank'and having a turning portion carrying the bottles just clear o f the'bofttom of said washing tank, means supporting bottlesl in said conveyor and permitf ting detached labels to collect between said entering and `In theform of the apparatusshown iii/FIG. 3,the upper conveyor means 66y and y65'/ are all driven sprockets so that-thc conveyor chains 63g do not have tobe dragged through the apparatus, but the chains, von'theother'hand,

substantially balance each other over vthe Vupper drive wheels and the major eifort is to move the conveyor over the fixed guide 68; As a result long-spans of theconveyor 63 are not-subjected `vt0 tension loads andr less effort is required to full load of'bottles. In 3 the-fixed guides 68a for the tank 59g are slightly turned so as to provide the proper conveyor chain approach and take-oli angles, .taking into account the yolf-vertical angular attitudes of the chains. Y

TheY foregoing disclosure has been Vdirected to .certain preferred'forms' of the"i.nvention in order to convey the theory and practical applications .of this improvement to those' skilledu in the art. AIt is of .coursev realized .that the valves 34 and 49 of FIG. 2, and the 'valvesv76 and 89 of FIG. 4 may be remotely controlled by well known means so that the programming of label removalV from the tanks may be predetermined'and `autornatically'carried out. While certain preferred embodiments `of the invention havebeen disclosed, it will 'be appreciated that modifications rnay b c made to adapt Vthe same to other Washer hereinafter' appendedy claims are intended tobeincl'usive of such other appaapparatus.L Accordingly, the

ratus and systems of application of this invention'.

What lis clairnedis: f v Vl. In apparatus for washingbottles .bearinglabels attached thereto but lremovable therefrom Vby contact with washingpsolut'ion: the combination .of a Washing .tank

move the conveyor chains ,with a' leaving portions adjacent saidturning portion, a label collector disposed within said turning portion, and awashingsolution circulating system forV said tank including av separatorv device having an inlet, alabel outlet anda Washing solution outlet, av first conduit connectingsaidI inlet With-said label collector to Withdraw detached labels entrained with washing solution from said collector, and another conduit connected l between said washingsolution outlet and said collector to return the washing solution Y* free of labels.

having bottom and sidewalls for containing a body of Washingl solution; c o a iirst portion `for immersing ythe bottles in t nveyonmeans for bottles including l. ne washing solutionv and a second portion-for removing `the bottles,v

stationaryy guides adapted to hold bottles insaidconveyor means While being transported by said rst and second portions; label collectorY meansfdisposedlfadjacent.said

conveyor and above ythebottom ofsaidtankso as togb'e in thefpath of label movem entupon removal fromthe,

bottom; and means to remove labelsfrom ysai'dcollector v 4. In apparatus forWashing bottles bearing adhesive labels removable by contact with washing solution, a Washing tank, .a conveyor having portions `entering'and leavingsaid tank and having a yturning portion 'adjacent the bottom of said Washingtanl, means supporting bot- Y tles in said conveyor and permitting detached lab'els'to collect between said entering and leaving portions adjacent said'turning portion, a label collectorV Within Vsaid turning portion to intercept labels .settling ltoward the bottom of said tank,vand a washingsolution circulating system for said tank including a separatordevice having an inlet to receive Washing solution burdened with labels, vajlab'el outlet and a washing solution outlet, a first con'- Vduit connecting said inlet withgsaid label .collector to Withdrawrdetached labels entrainediv'ith washing solution fromV .said collector, and lanother conduitfconnected between said washing solution"outletand'saidcollector to returnthe Washing solution free of labelsjsaid -another conduit containing means .drawing'washing solution from saidI separator device yand thereby creatingva ovv at said 5.2 In `apparatus foriwashing bottles bearing adhesive labelsremovable by' .coritact with washing solution, a plurality of washing tanks .each Vhavingbl'nttorn .and side walls, a conveyor having portions entering and leaving the washing solution in 'each of said tanks, means supporting ybottles. in Vsaid conveyor, a labely collector above .the bottom of Yeacltrtank .to'interclept labels removed by Ythewashing solutionin each loffsaid washing tanks, and

Y -Washingsoluti n vcirculating means uto entrain intercepted labels'f-and carry theu same to the outside of said washing tanks, said circulating means including a label-separator andlconduit means connecting each of `said label collectors and said label separator to direct washing solution'burdened with labels theretoandconnecting saidv label sepbottles. and prevent substantialV accumulations on said?.

arator'with each of said label collectors kto redirect washmeans including a evi/lashing "solution recirculatingA systern75 6. In apparatus for washing bottles bearing adhesive labels removable by contact with washing solution, a plurality of washing tanks each having a bottom and side walls, a conveyor having portions entering and leaving the washing solution in each of said tanks, means supporting bottles in said conveyor, a label collector above the bottom of each tank to intercept labels removed by the Washing solution in each of said washing tanks, and Washing solution circulating means to entrain intercepted labels and carry the same to the outside of said washing tanks, said circulating means including a label separator and conduit means connecting each of said label collectors and said label separator to direct washing solution burdened with labels -thereto and connecting said label separator with each of said label collectors to redirect Washing solution free of labels thereto, and controls in said solution circulating means to direct solution circulation successively to each of said label collectors.

7. In bottle washing apparatus to remove adhesively attached labels, in combination a washing solution tank, bottle conveying means extending into and out of said tank, conveyor guiding means in said tank submerged in the washing solution, said conveyor moving the bottles toward and away from said submerged guiding means, bottle guiding means in said tank extending toward said submerged guiding means, a label collecting member supported in and above the bottom of said tank to be adjacent said submerged guiding means and intercept labels on the way toward the tank bottom, washing solution jetting means connected into said collecting member to agitate the labels intercepted by and collecting in said member, a washing solution and label withdrawing connection on said tank open to said collecting member, a label and washing solution separator having an inlet con- 10 nected to said withdrawing connection to receive washing solution burdened with labels and having a pair of outlets, one for labels and the other for solution free of labels, and a conduit connecting said other of said pair of outlets with said jetting means to return the label free solution.

8. Apparatus for washing containers bearing detachable labels and preventing label accumulation during the Washing, comprising means forming at least one compartment for containing a quantity of washing fluid above the bottom, carrier means for moving containers successively into and out of said compartment whereby the labels become detached from the containers and move toward the container bottom, and means for intercepting and removing labels to prevent accumulations in said compartment on the bottom, said last means including a label collector spaced above the compartment bottom and between the path of containers moving into and out of said compartment.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,853,917 4/32 Meyer 134-75 2,024,373 12/35 Ladewig et al. 134-73 2,050,634 8/36 Stegemann 134-10 2,219,007 10/40 Dostal 134-73 2,299,080 10/42 De Back 134-10 2,710,818 6/55 Winters 134-75 X 2,761,799 9/56 Schroeder 134-75 X CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.Y M. O. WOLK, Examiner.A 

8. APPARTUS FOR WASHING CONTAINERS BEARING DETACHABLE LABELS AND PREVENTING LABEL ACCUMULATION DURING THE WASHING, COMPRISING MEANS FORMING AT LEAST ONE COMPARTMENT FOR CONTAINING A QUANTITY OF WASHING FLUID ABOVE THE BOTTOM, CARRIER MEANS FOR MOVING CONTAINERS SUCCESSIVELY INTO AND OUT OF SAID COMPARTMENT WHEREBY THE LABELS BECOME DETACHED FROM THE CONTAINERS AND MOVE TOWARD THE CONTAINER BOTTOM, AND MEANS FOR INTERCEPTING AND REMOVING LABELS TO PREVENT ACCUMULATIONS IN SAID COMPARTMENT ON THE BOTTOM, SAID LAST MEANS INCLUDING A LABEL COLLECTOR SPACED ABOVE THE COMPARTMENT BOTTOM AND BETWEEN THE PATH OF CONTAINERS MOVING INTO AND OUT OF SAID COMPARTMENT. 